295. Monreith Bay

It’s only lunchtime but as I cross the peninsula known as The Machars I am heading for my final beach walk of the day. I’ve been up since 4.30am and have already visited eight beaches, so I am ready for the long four-hour drive home. I grab the last of a few parking spaces by the road just beyond the village of Monreith, and I descend the steep steps to this wide sandy bay. To be fair, the area around the base of the steps is the most unattractive part of the beach, but as I head over the stones and rocks to the golden sand, the full vista becomes apparent and its so much more impressive. I can go left or right, as the tide is out and the walking potential is endless. I opt to go left and I follow the shore until I spot a path leading up the cliffs to a high lookout point beyond. I figure the views from here will be rather special and they are. It’s a great walk up some steps, through a gate onto lush-green hills and along a well-made path (with ‘beware of adders’ signs) to the lookout alongside the local golf club. I take a snap and head straight back where I came from, back to the car and that’s a wrap for the day. There are plenty more beaches along the Dumfries & Galloway coast and today I have only touched the surface, so more to come.